Filter membrane support and filtration funnel

Abstract

The instant invention provides a support apparatus for a filter membrane which comprises a central porous support section and a peripheral support section, said central porous support section adapted to support a central portion of a filter membrane and said peripheral support section adapted to support a peripheral portion of a filter membrane, a base support for said central support section and said peripheral support section, and means to separate said central porous support section from said peripheral support action thereby to separate said peripheral portion of said filter membrane from said peripheral support section.

I claim: 
     
       1. A support apparatus for a filter membrane which comprises a central porous support section and a peripheral support section, said central porous support section adapted to support a central portion of a filter membrane and said peripheral support section adapted to support a peripheral portion of a filter membrane, a base support for said central support section and said peripheral support section, and means integral to said apparatus for sufficiently separating said central porous support section from said peripheral support section for enabling said filter to be detached intact from said peripheral support section and to be grasped by its edge intact during handling. 
     
     
       2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said central porous support section includes a first top surface adapted to contact a central portion of a filter membrane and said peripheral support includes a second top surface adapted to contact a peripheral portion of a filter membrane, said first top surface being slightly separated from said second top surface to permit a filter membrane to contact said first top surface and said second top surface while avoiding rapture of said filter membrane when a subatmospheric pressure is imposed on said filter membrane through said central porous support section. 
     
     
       3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the means for separating said central porous support section from said peripheral support section comprises a plunger, said plunger being positioned on said base support for said central porous section and being adapted to move to effect separation of said central porous support section from said peripheral support section. 
     
     
       4. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the means for separating said central porous support section from said peripheral support section comprises a plunger, said plunger being positioned on said base support for said central porous section and being adapted to move to effect separation of said central porous support section from said peripheral support section. 
     
     
       5. The support apparatus of claim 1 wherein said peripheral support section includes a groove on an outside surface substantially perpendicular to a top surface of said peripheral support section. 
     
     
       6. The support apparatus of claim 2 wherein said peripheral support section includes a groove on an outside surface substantially perpendicular to a top surface of said peripheral support section. 
     
     
       7. The support apparatus of claim 3 wherein said peripheral support section includes a groove on an outside surface substantially perpendicular to a top surface of said peripheral support section. 
     
     
       8. The support apparatus of claim 4 wherein said peripheral support section includes a groove on an outside surface substantially perpendicular to a top surface of said peripheral support section. 
     
     
       9. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein a top surface of said peripheral support section is roughened. 
     
     
       10. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein a top surface of said peripheral support section is roughened. 
     
     
       11. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein a top surface of said peripheral support section is roughened. 
     
     
       12. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein a top surface of said peripheral support section is roughened. 
     
     
       13. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein a top surface of said peripheral support section is roughened. 
     
     
       14. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein a top surface of said peripheral support section is roughened. 
     
     
       15. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein a top surface of said peripheral support section is roughened. 
     
     
       16. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein a top surface of said peripheral support section is roughened. 
     
     
       17. An apparatus for filtering a liquid which comprises the support apparatus of claim 1 and a funnel, said funnel including a frustconical section having a base adjacent said peripheral support section, a sealing lip extending radially inward from a wall of said frustoconical section and positioned to contact and seal a filter membrane on said peripheral support section, and means to secure said base to said peripheral support section. 
     
     
       18. An apparatus for filtering a liquid which comprises the support apparatus of claim 2 and a funnel, said funnel including a frustconical section having a base adjacent said peripheral support section, a sealing lip extending radially inward from a wall of said frustoconical section and positioned to contact and seal a filter membrane on said peripheral support section, and means to secure said base to said peripheral support section. 
     
     
       19. An apparatus for filtering a liquid which comprises the support apparatus of claim 3 and a funnel, said funnel including a frustconical section having a base adjacent said peripheral support section, a sealing lip extending radially inward from a wall of said frustoconical section and positioned to contact and seal a filter membrane on said peripheral support section, and means to secure said base to said peripheral support section. 
     
     
       20. An apparatus for filtering a liquid which comprises the support apparatus of claim 4 and a funnel, said funnel including a frustconical section having a base adjacent said peripheral support section, a sealing lip extending radially inward from a wall of said frustoconical section and positioned to contact and seal a filter membrane on said peripheral support section, and means to secure said base to said peripheral support section. 
     
     
       21. An apparatus for filtering a liquid which comprises the support apparatus of claim 5 and a funnel, said funnel including a frustoconical section having a base adjacent said peripheral support section, a sealing lip extending radially inward from a wall of said frustoconical section and positioned to contact and seal a filter membrane on said peripheral support section, and a ring positioned on a cylindrical section adjacent said sealing lip, said ring adapted to fit within the groove on said peripheral support section. 
     
     
       22. An apparatus for filtering a liquid which comprises the support apparatus of claim 6 and a funnel, said funnel including a frustoconical section having a base adjacent said peripheral support section, a sealing lip extending radially inward from a wall of said frustoconical section and positioned to contact and seal a filter membrane on said peripheral support section, and a ring positioned on a cylindrical section adjacent said sealing lip, said ring adapted to fit within the groove on said peripheral support section. 
     
     
       23. An apparatus for filtering a liquid which comprises the support apparatus of claim 7 and a funnel, said funnel including a frustoconical section having a base adjacent said peripheral support section, a sealing lip extending radially inward from a wall of said frustoconical section and positioned to contact and seal a filter membrane on said peripheral support section, and a ring positioned on a cylindrical section adjacent said sealing lip, said ring adapted to fit within the groove on said peripheral support section. 
     
     
       24. An apparatus for filtering a liquid which comprises the support apparatus of claim 8 and a funnel, said funnel including a frustoconical section having a base adjacent said peripheral support section, a sealing lip extending radially inward from a wall of said frustoconical section and positioned to contact and seal a filter membrane on said peripheral support section, and a ring positioned on a cylindrical section adjacent said sealing lip, said ring adapted to fit within the groove on said peripheral support section.